David’s song about Saul and Jonathan

17 Then David composed/wrote this sad song about Saul and Jonathan, 18 and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah. The song is called ‘The Bow and Arrow’ and it has been written in the Book of Jashar:

19 “You Israeli people, your glorious [MTY] leaders have been killed on the mountains!

It is very sad that those mighty men have died!

20 “Do not tell it to our enemies in the Philistia area;

do not tell to the people who live in Gath city what happened;

do not proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon city, because if you tell them, even the women in that area will be happy;

do not allow those ◄pagan women/women who do not know God► to rejoice.

21 I hope/desire that there will be no rain or dew on the mountains of the Gilboa area [APO],

and that no grain will grow in the fields there,

because there the shield of Saul, the mighty king, fell on the ground.

No one rubbed olive oil on Saul’s shield;

22 instead, it was stained with the blood of those whom he had killed,

and the fat of mighty enemy soldiers was smeared on it.

Jonathan [PRS] did not retreat carrying his bow and arrows,

and Saul always defeated his enemies when he fought them with his sword. [PRS, LIT]

23 “Saul and Jonathan were loved and they pleased many people.

They were together [LIT] while they lived and when they died.

In battles they were swifter than eagles and they were stronger than lions.

24 “You Israeli women, cry about Saul;

He provided beautiful scarlet/red clothes for you

and he gave you gold ornaments/jewelry to fasten on those clothes.

25 “It is very sad that this mighty soldier has died!

Jonathan has been killed on the mountains/hills.

26 Jonathan, my dear friend, I grieve for you;

you were very dear to me.

You loved me in a wonderful manner;

it was better than the way that a woman loves her husband and her children.

27 “It is very sad that those mighty men have died,

and their weapons are now abandoned!